Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-06-02

l1A bhhNh01 "a NgbeN~S
dry in the sun and yellow pumpkins
and gourds spread on the roofs to
ripen. About the doorways played
nearly naked little black children.
Isn't that NJ. Besson standing on
that gallery?' said Ruby.
1t is, and ] see he has some papers
in his hand; those he promised you
from home, l presume. How do you
do, NJ. Besson2' continued Ellen.
'Famously. Miss Ellen, and see
that the wind, or something, makes
the roses in your cheeks bloom bright
er than ever. Miss Rae, l have those
papers we spoke of, and if you will al
low me l shall take great pleasure in
calling with them some time this
evening.
Many thanks. We are always GLAD
to see you, even when you do not bear
offerings. However, as we are not
going directly home, you may bring
them and save me the trouble of
carrying them about, for lam wofully
lazy
They chatted few minutes longer,
then separated, Mr.. Lloyd to pursue
his way down the coast, and the girls
to resume their interrupted gallop.-
They flew by the pretty white cottages
that graced one side of the road,
scarcely turning their heads to notice
the smooth lawns, climbing vines and
orange trees laden with yellow ripe
fruit. 1t being the time of low water,
an occasional glimpse Of the river was
all that could be had over the high
levee
Entering the open gate of d small
plantation, the girls rode slowly
through the negro quarter, nodding
pleasantly to the inmates who came to
the door to greet de young misses.
The quarter was row of one-story
huts arranged on each side of a road.
On some plantations the overseer's
house is situated at the head of these
novels, and differs from them in moth
ing but size. Between the quarter
and the sugar house was a large
square covered with burning trash
from the carrier. In many of
the larger mills this refuse is used for
fuel.
Grinding season was almost over,
out there was some cane yet standing.
At this time it was little yellow from
the recent frost, but early in the season
field of cane is pretty sight-look-
ing, when there is slight breeze, like
a billowy green sea and being several
shades lighter than a cornfeld. The
hands, men and women, we're at work;
some cutting with the long, hooked
caneknife, some loading the three
mule carts, and others driving these
clumsy, wide wheeled vehicles. Rid
ing along near the workers was a
young man. spying whom, Ellen ex-
claimed:
Letus hasten by before he can see
who we are, Ruby. See him quicken
his gait to cross our path! He is Mr.
Lloyd's brother, just returned from
Europe. He doesn't know us, though,
and it will be fun to punish his
curiosity, l don't see why he didn't
call with Emory
They gave rein and dashed by with
twinkling eyes and coquettish glances
back at the inquisitive stranger But
they had gone not further than half
an acre when snap went Ellen's stir.
rup-strap Mazeppa was in too high
spirits for her to venture to ride with
out stirrup, SO, slackenlng their
speed and turning back with rueful
faces, they craved assistance of him
they would have avoided. Ellen knew
the name of the fair knight, but had
not been introduced, as he was re-
cent acquisition to society. He had
only the day before arrived from Eu-
rope, where he had been travelling
after his graduation at Edinburgh.
Introducing herself and then Ruby,
Ellen showed him her detached stir.
rup, and requested him to replace it
He dlsmounted and FASTENED to do hel
bidding, taking a wonderfully long
time to accomplish the task, meantime
chatting most pleasantly.
You are from the North, Miss Rae
are you not?' said he in the course o.
the rambling talk.
Yes, I came South to eat sugar
cane and to learn to ride horseback.
DO you mean to intimate that yor
are novice at horsemanship? l tool
you both to be experienced equestri
ennes from the meteoric manner il
which you flashed by me-
mo, this is but my third lesson
should think you would be afraic
of falling from SO unaccustomed {
seat.
The idea of Ruby fearing anything,
laughed Ellen. She has kept aheac
| of me this evening in manner mos
provoking. I shall have to be looking
to my laurels.
By this time the repairing was done
the young man reluctantly surrender
ing the stirrup to Ellen's foot. Jus
| then boat Whistled at the landing.